For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, July 24, 2002

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that she has secured important federal funding for Clark County transportation projects in the fiscal year 2003 transportation spending bill.

The funding will address critical infrastructure needs throughout the region, including bridges, busses, airports and transit facilities.

In addition to the earmarked funding, Washington state will also receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway and transit formula funding. Washington state will receive $510 million in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grants and $101 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants to address transportation issues across the state.

"I am proud to have helped direct federal funding to Clark County and Washington state in this year's transportation bill," Senator Murray said. "Our region's economy is facing tough times and we must do all that we can to keep jobs and business in Clark County. These increased monies will help ease congestion and increase public safety, and will go a long way to improving the quality of life and increasing economic prosperity for our region."

Transportation earmarks for Clark County:

SW 1st/NW Lake Road Project - $ 3 million This project will help the City of Camas begin planning to expand and improve this roadway.

C-Tran, Vancouver Mall Transit Center - $2.7 million This project will help purchase and upgrade the existing site to reduce annual maintenance costs, ensuring future operations.

Mill Plain Boulevard at I-205 - $3.5 million This funding will support improvements to the interchange and the portion of I-205 between the Columbia River and NE 83rd Street. These renovations are expected to relieve congestion.

Maritime Fire and Safety Association - $312,000 This funding will help support the Marine Fire and Safety Association (MFSA), which provides critical fire, oil and toxic spill response and clean-up capability in the Lower Columbia River.